Alpha Crucis by Chalk Hill Winemakers Series Shiraz

Cracka Rating

Cracka Review

The winemaking pinnacle is the focus of the Alpha Crucis. It refers to a bright star of the Southern Cross that shines the most and by extension these wines are all about brightness and exceptional quality. Made from premium McLaren Vale vineyards in only exceptional vintages, the winemakers series represents some of the biggest talents in the Vale. This is a wine that positively shines in the glass exuding varietal integrity and true terroir. It’s a dark berried beast with hints of violets and spice and bitter dark chocolate before a layered palate of black fruit, coffee bean and generously proportioned tannins.

Winemaker's Notes

The Winemakers’ Series examines the influence of a winemaker on how a wine may taste. Six winemakers were tasked with making a wine autonomously, in a style of their choosing and sourced from the same vineyard. The winemakers needed to determine several factors; the date of harvest, the technique and method of fermenting and the means of maturing the wine to reflect their individual preferences.

The Heritage Vineyard adjoins the Chalk Hill vineyard in McLaren Vale, and sits on Blanche Point Limestone formed between 56 and 34 million years ago. The soil comprises washed sand over clay which limits vine vigour and hence reduces the number of grapes on each vine. The vines are on their own roots and trellised on a single cordon with vertical shoot positioning to enable good sunlight and air penetration in the vine canopy.